C21 Assassin Attack

Chen Dutian felt little interest in the upcoming literary competition. Yan Chen, seated on the steps of the viewing platform, also appeared somewhat displeased. Once the meal was served, Chen Dutian shared a few drinks with Pang Yuan before excusing himself from the Cloudwatch Palace.

He hadn't been back to the House of Protector in several days and was eager to check on his mother. However, shortly after leaving the Cloudwatch Palace, he heard footsteps approaching from behind. Surprised, he turned to see Yan Beichen, accompanied by two palace eunuchs, quickly making his way toward him.

"Mr. Chen, are you heading back?"

"Yes, I appreciate your hospitality these past days. If there's ever a need for my assistance, please don't hesitate to send word to the House of Protector," Chen Dutian replied, nodding. He held Yan Beichen in high regard.

Though Yan Beichen was quite the strategist, he was far preferable to the malevolent Yan Nantian.

"Hmm, I've heard that the Lord Protector will soon be returning to the capital. Mr. Chen, please remember our agreement," Yan Beichen said earnestly as he drew closer.

Previously, Yan Beichen lacked the power to contend with the Crown Prince, but with the backing of the Chen family, his prospects brightened. The Chen family's influence was strong, with many of Lord Protector Chen Dou's former subordinates now holding significant military power. Yan Beichen had bet everything on Chen Dutian.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. The day my father returns to the capital will mark the beginning of your reign," Chen Dutian declared, eager to avoid any complications that could arise from delay. It was imperative to eliminate the Crown Prince's faction as soon as possible.

The two men exchanged knowing smiles. Chen Dutian respectfully bowed and took his leave, while Yan Beichen watched him depart, lingering at the entrance of the Cloudwatch Palace for a long while.

"Your Highness, is Chen Dutian truly trustworthy?" a palace eunuch inquired softly, stepping forward.

"Not entirely," Yan Beichen admitted, his gaze sharp. But then his expression softened into a sly smile as he inhaled deeply, "The Emperor has harbored doubts about the Chen family for quite some time. And now, with the head of the Jademanes Pavilion summoned back to the Imperial City, the Chen family is left with little choice."

Yan Beichen turned slowly and whispered to another eunuch clad in palace attire, "Has there been any activity from the Crown Prince or Wang Xuanyang in recent days?"

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince is diligently practicing the Dragon Martial Arts. His strength has consistently been at the Third Heaven of Astral Wandering! However, Wang Xuanyang and the Minister of War have been covertly deploying the Ironclad Legion. General Tang Xuan has been on the move for several days now!"

"Mm, leave the Imperial City and inform Commander Lin that it's time to act," Yan Beichen said, nodding slightly with a calm demeanor that suggested he had everything under control.

The palace eunuch bowed deeply, accepting the command, and with a swift motion, vanished into the night. If Chen Dutian had witnessed this, he would have been inwardly astounded to realize that the eunuch attending to him at Cloudwatch Palace was actually a master of Astral Wandering!

Clutching the jade pendant given to him by Yan Chen, Chen Dutian stood at the city gates, breathing deeply. He was in high spirits, humming a tune as he made his way briskly toward the House of Protector.

Located on the western side of the Imperial Capital, the House of Protector was roughly the distance of two incense sticks away. As he neared his destination, Chen Dutian suddenly shuddered and halted.

He sensed several Spirit Convergence warriors nearby, and footsteps were approaching from behind.

"So Yan Chen couldn't wait to dispose of me just after I left the Imperial Capital?" Chen Dutian sneered, activating the spiritual energy within him to surge through his meridians.

It was the Harvest Festival, and the streets were deserted. The figures approaching him were all formidable, each at the Ninth Heaven of the Spirit Convergence Realm. Chen Dutian turned slowly to face them in the moonlight and saw three muscular men, their faces obscured by black cloths, eyeing him with clear intent to kill.

"Who sent you?" Chen Dutian inquired calmly.

From both sides of the road, seven or eight assassins clad in black emerged, yet not a trace of fear crossed Chen Dutian's face.

Despite his own strength being at the Sixth Heaven of the Spirit Convergence Realm, he was confident that his mastery of the Starfall Sword Technique would allow him to dispatch these assailants with ease.

"You don't need to know that much!" A formidable figure at the Ninth Heaven of Spirit Convergence stepped forward, replying to Chen Dutian with a cold retort, and slowly drew his longsword from his waist.

"Hmph, you think the few of you can take my life? You're underestimating me!" Chen Dutian snorted, as his majestic aura spread out and a fluorescent white glow emanated from his hands.

"Chen Dutian, you're just a warrior at the Sixth Heaven of Spirit Convergence and yet so full of yourself. Today, I shall see just how capable the Lord Protector's Heir truly is!"

After his declaration, the Ninth Heaven expert didn't rush to attack. Instead, the black-clad henchmen on either side of the road surged forward, brandishing their longswords and lunging at Chen Dutian.

These assailants were merely at the Fifth Heaven of Spirit Convergence. Chen Dutian let out a cold laugh, clearly unimpressed. As two blades approached, a burst of bright white light exploded from him, striking the chests of the two attackers.

With a single confrontation, Chen Dutian remained unmoved, while the two Fifth Heaven assassins were blasted away by the spiritual energy he released.

They hit the ground, their bodies convulsed briefly, and then lay still.

The Ninth Heaven black-clad man witnessed this and involuntarily gasped, his brow furrowing deeply.

Chen Dutian, with only the strength of the Sixth Heaven, had effortlessly slain two Fifth Heaven warriors. The sight was truly startling.

The remaining assassins didn't pause. As more sword lights streaked towards him, Chen Dutian lightly touched the ground with his toes and leaped over two meters into the air.

Unleashing Thunderfist, his fists, transformed by spiritual energy, rapidly descended, making the very air around them quiver.

With a resounding "Crack!" over ten sword lights vanished into thin air. Chen Dutian landed firmly, then moved with ghostly speed, striking out. The three black-clad men barely registered his movements before they were sent screaming through the air, crashing down hard onto the ground ten meters away.

"These opponents are no match for me. All three of you, come at once!" Chen Dutian smoothly adjusted his attire, noting the astonishment flickering in the eyes of the burly men around him. He let out a scoff and provocatively gestured to the three most formidable assassins nearby to bring it on.

Each of these three was at the Ninth Heaven of the Spirit Convergence Realm. Realizing their own men stood no chance against Chen Dutian, they were inwardly taken aback. With a swift motion, they positioned themselves before Chen Dutian.

"It's widely acknowledged that the Lord Protector's Heir conceals his true power. Today, in the martial competition, even Jiang Daochen and Ling Zechuan fell to you. I must admit, I've underestimated you!"